Too soon for decision on Irish Cultural Center

Dear Editor: Re “Kingston Planning Board could vote Monday on Irish Cultural Center proposal,” July 3, 2017, it is important to acknowledge that what state Supreme Court Justice Judge Richard Mott did was dismiss our appeal of the city Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision on the property’s frontage. The proposed uses for the Irish Cultural Center are still to be determined, such as whether a pub is an allowable use, as Mott clearly stated in his decision.

It is a complex issue with hundreds of pages of litigation, and we understand that it is difficult to sum up in a sentence or two, but the Irish Cultural Center’s attorney misrepresented it when he said at the city Planning Board meeting in June that Mott’s ruling permits the center’s uses, just as it was a misrepresentation to say the project hasn’t changed in size throughout its multiple applications and revisions.

Further, should it be of concern that the chairman of the Planning Board is quoted as saying that the board is ready to vote Monday when public comments haven’t yet been fully received, reviewed or considered? After all, the Irish Cultural Center still is submitting amended proposals.

What is in front of everyone right now is again new. Hillary and Owen Harvey

Kingston, N.Y.

The Harveys are neighbors of the site where the Irish Cultural Center is proposed and have taken legal action against the city of Kingston and the developer regarding the proposal.